Pilot Pumpers raises $93,350 for United Way

Pilot Celebrity Pumpers raised $93,350 for United Way of Greater Knoxville last week, surpassing last year's program record of $90,400.

During the 24th annual fundraiser, Pilot donated to United Way 5 cents of every gallon of gas and 10 cents of every $1 spent inside all Knox County Pilot stores.

"We always hope to do better," Pilot Director of Operations Dan Fleming said. "This was a great team effort from everybody, the celebrities, media personalities and politicians that showed up. We had a lot of fun. We know the cause hits home."

Approximately 80 local leaders, including Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, pumped gas during the three-day event, United Way's largest fundraiser of the year.

The overall fundraising goal for United Way is $13,350,000. Jenny Brown, United Way vice president of branding and messaging, said the money raised by Pilot Pumpers will benefit 50 partner agencies and 107 local programs that the organization funds.

Brown said United Way is "thrilled" with the funds raised by Pilot Pumpers this year.

"This would not be possible without the generosity of the Pilot Celebrity Pumpers, the behind-the-scenes work of Moxley Carmichael and Pilot Flying J and the support of the entire Knoxville community," Brown said. "The more we raise, the more people we can help."

Fleming said Pilot hopes to break the record again and increase participation next year.

"This year we raised money at all locations, but we didn't have pumpers at all of them," Fleming said. "Next year we hope to get even more people participating."

United Way focuses on health, education and income. The organization determines the needs of the community within Knoxville and works with partner agencies to implement programs specific to the community's needs. Each program then applies for a grant through United Way, and a team of approximately 130 volunteers determines where to allocate fundraising dollars.

Brown said 100 percent of the money raised through Pilot Pumpers will remain in the local area.